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Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Sessions dumps National Commission on Forensic Science

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions will not renew
the National Commission on Forensic
Science (NCFS), according to a statement, reported Juris. The
NCFS is a 30-member group of scientists, academics, law enforcement officials,
prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges originally commissioned in
2013 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) during President Obama's
administration.

The commission had responsibility for developing
guidance concerning the intersections between forensic science and the
courtroom and developing policy recommendations, including uniform codes for
professional responsibility and requirements for training and certification.

As the use of bite-mark analysis, hair and fiber
sample analysis and even fingerprint analysis have been called into question,
the NCFS was charged with standardizing national guidance for forensic science
practitioners. Additionally, NCFS was to develop methods for forensic
measurements and validate select existing forensic science standards.

The commission is set to expire April 23, and
continued efforts to "advance forensic science and combat violent crime"
will be handled by the Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, a
committee established by
executive order under President Trump. Sessions commended the efforts of the
NCFS in his statement.

As we decide how to move forward, we bear in mind
that the Department is just one piece of the larger criminal justice system and
that the vast majority of forensic science is practiced by state and local
forensic laboratories and is used by state and local prosecutors. We applaud
the professionalism of the National Commission on Forensic Science and look
forward to building on the contributions it has made in this crucial field.

About Matt

An analysis of crime and punishment from the perspective of a former prosecutor and current criminal justice practitioner.
The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions or postions of any county, state or federal agency.